**Executive Summary:**
This notification, issued by the Directorate General of Foreign Trade, Ministry of Commerce and Industry on March 27, 2017, amends the export policy of edible oils. It modifies previous notifications regarding restrictions on edible oil exports, providing specific exemptions and conditions. The changes are effective immediately.
**Key Points / Main Content:**
* **Amendment Authority:** The amendment is enacted under Section 3 of the Foreign Trade Development and Regulation Act, 1992, and in accordance with the Foreign Trade Policy 2015-20.
* **Previous Restrictions:** Prior notifications imposed prohibitions on edible oil exports, which were extended until further notice.
**Exemptions to Export Restrictions:**
* **Specific Oils:**
* Castor oil
* Coconut oil from all EDI Ports and through specified Land Custom Stations on certain borders
* Rice Bran oil in bulk, irrespective of pack size
* Groundnut oil, Sesame oil, Soyabean oil and Maize Corn oil in bulk, irrespective of pack size
* **Deemed Exports:** Edible oils supplied as raw material from Domestic Tariff Area (DTA) to 100% Export Oriented Units (EOUs) for producing non-edible goods for export.
* **SEZ Consumption:** Edible oils from DTA to Special Economic Zones (SEZs) for use by SEZ units in manufacturing processed food products, subject to value addition norms.
* **Minor Forest Produce Oils:** Edible oils produced from minor forest produce under specified ITCHS codes.
* **Organic Oils:** Organic edible oils registered and certified by the Agricultural Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA), subject to export contracts.
* **Branded Consumer Packs:** Export of edible oils in branded consumer packs up to 5 Kgs is permitted with a minimum export price (MEP) of USD 900 per MT.
**Impact Analysis:**
**Exporters of Edible Oils:**
* *Impact:* Benefit from the specified exemptions, allowing the export of previously restricted edible oils under certain conditions.
* *Action Required:* Ensure compliance with the conditions for each exemption, including pack size, MEP, certification requirements, and adherence to value addition norms for SEZ consumption.
**EOUs and SEZ Units:**
* *Impact:* EOUs can receive edible oils as raw material from DTA for producing non-edible goods for export. SEZ units can use edible oils from DTA for manufacturing processed food products.
* *Action Required:* EOUs must ensure that the edible oils are used as input for non-edible exports. SEZ units must adhere to applicable value addition norms.
**APEDA:**
* *Impact:* Responsible for the registration and certification of organic edible oils for export.
* *Action Required:* Continue to register and certify organic edible oils according to established procedures.
Key Entities Referenced
Foreign Trade Development and Regulation Act, 1992: An act of the Indian Parliament that regulates foreign trade.
Foreign Trade Policy FTP, 2015-20: The Foreign Trade Policy for the period 2015-2020, which provides a framework for exports and imports.
Directorate General of Foreign Trade: Government agency responsible for implementing the Foreign Trade Policy of India.
New Delhi: The capital of India and the location from which the notification was issued.
ITCHS Classification: Indian Trade Classification (Harmonized System), which is based on the Harmonized System of Commodity Description and Coding System (HS).
Edible Oils: The primary subject of the notification, concerning amendments to the export policy.
Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA): An organization responsible for the export promotion of agricultural products.
Domestic Tariff Area (DTA): Area within India that is not classified as a Special Economic Zone (SEZ).